Which Joe Louis opponent most likely beats prime George Foreman

[uncle ben]

Who of Louis opposition could defeat a prime Foreman?

[QueensburyRules]

- -Noone, NOONE!!!

[uncle ben]

- -Noone, NOONE!!!

You sure you're not forgetting Freddie Beshore??

[GhostofDempsey]

Tony Galento...in a hot dog eating contest.

[DeeMoney]

I wouldnt favor any of Louis's opponents over Prime Foreman.

I think Conn to just be too small. Possibly a little bigger active style fighter, say Walcott could make it interesting.

The bigger guys Louis fought: Simon, Carnera, Buddy Baer, just arent near Foreman's level.

Maybe a motivated Max Baer could make it a fun slugfest, with a puncher's chance. But who wants to slugfest with Foreman?

We all know what it is though....just an era where most heavyweights would be modern Cruisers. Its why we have weight classes.

[uncle ben]

I wouldnt favor any of Louis's opponents over Prime Foreman.

I think Conn to just be too small. Possibly a little bigger active style fighter, say Walcott could make it interesting.

The bigger guys Louis fought: Simon, Carnera, Buddy Baer, just arent near Foreman's level.

Maybe a motivated Max Baer could make it a fun slugfest, with a puncher's chance. But who wants to slugfest with Foreman?

We all know what it is though....just an era where most heavyweights would be modern Cruisers. Its why we have weight classes.

Max Baer could make it a fun slugfest indeed. Walcott could pose a possible problem and he hits hard enough to hurt Foreman, but I'd still favor Foreman.

[Bundana]

With Forman's ability to cut off the ring on an elusive opponent, I don't see smaller, technically good guys like Conn, Charles or Walcott having much of a chance.

I also wouldn't favor Max Baer - but with his chin and power, he could (like Lyle) maybe make an all-out slugfest interesting. Not that I think he would win, but of all Louis' opponents, he's the only one I would give even a slight chance.

[Sugarj]

Yep, my first thought was that a motivated, grinning Baer could have provided a Lyle like effort. Similar size and power with the right hand.....plus Baer could hold a good shot.

[Rusty Tromboni]

Conn could beat the guy who fought Young, and Moorer.

But the absolute best Foreman sears through everyone except godoy. Godoy, when he did what he was supposed to do, was hard to hit hard and clean, and could keep coming.

Louis didn't fight a prime Baer, but if he did it's possible he might have lost. The best Baer was as great as the Baer that Louis fought was terrible. Baer was a scary guy.

But, I wouldn't pick the best Baer to beat Foreman, either. At least, he's not the one I'd put my money on, if I were forced to bet. It would probably play out like a better version of Foreman-Lyle. Unfortunately, just as Baer was about to take off, his career fell apart.

Tony Galento...in a hot dog eating contest.

magical.

[Rusty Tromboni]

With Forman's ability to cut off the ring on an elusive opponent, I don't see smaller, technically good guys like Conn, Charles or Walcott having much of a chance.

I also wouldn't favor Max Baer - but with his chin and power, he could (like Lyle) maybe make an all-out slugfest interesting. Not that I think he would win, but of all Louis' opponents, he's the only one I would give even a slight chance.

Yep, my first thought was that a motivated, grinning Baer could have provided a Lyle like effort. Similar size and power with the right hand.....plus Baer could hold a good shot.

Well said, gentlemen.

It's a shame Baer's career didn't hold together. He's one of the sport's biggest flops.

If Louis fought the guy that battered Schmeling, he might have had a career-altering loss on his record. I think even the best Baer, though, isn't strong and busy enough to out-punch Foreman. Not that a Baer win would shock me.